In the Dutch Climate Agreement of July 2018, guidance and supervision for the energy transition of the built environment is predominantly placed at the local (municipal) level. Municipalities now face the task to concretize the sustainable transition of districts and neighborhoods. By the end of 2021, each municipality in the Netherlands must have a transition plan for the entire community. This plans describes the feasible alternative energy infrastructures (such as all-electric, heat-networks, alternatives to gas, etc.) to provide district heating. Subsequently, the municipality draws up an implementation plan for each separate neighborhood. This provides the framework within which building owners, grid operators, companies, municipalities and other parties can take investment decisions.

Energy Watch can support municipalities throughout this entire process. In order to make the choices for the energy supply per neighborhood, first the realistic building blocks for the energy/heat-supply are specified for each neighborhood. These building blocks are then used to establish several alternative scenarios. The scenarios are subsequently analyzed, and the results are summarized in clear conclusions and recommendations.